Day 1
On the arrival day, we welcome you to the hotel in Athens. In the afternoon, once you’ve settled in, we ’ll enjoy our dinner at one of the finest urban haunts in Athens. The first theoretical session of the photography workshop takes place during our dinner; Next, we will check our equipment and make sure that it’s ready for the outing the following day. This first contact will bring with it an array of questions, queries and answers in preparation for the surprises that our photography trip will give us.
Day 2
Early waking up to start with our vans, our 4 hours journey to Meteora. As soon as we settle in at the hotel, we will enjoy some local food in one of the traditional tavernas around. Then the afternoon is all ours to capture the sublime scenery. A scenery composed by the unique formations of the giant suspended sand-rocks of Meteora, topped with Byzantine monasteries echoing the nun chants creating an eerie atmosphere in their isolated and steep standing. Millions of opportunities for superb landscape photography as we reach the scenery from all possible perspectives from the bottom up to the top of the rock pillars for a panoramic spectacle.
Day 3
The second day of our photography workshop will be divided between visiting the monasteries and some more selective shots of the landscape. We will focus on monasteries’ life – wherever we are allowed to– as evolved in time, mingling with pilgrims & travelers from all over the world and taking the opportunity for some intriguing photography compositions and themes. Each day will be followed by a critique and editing review led by our instructor through exchanging info of our shots over our photography assignments.
Day 4
We take off to reach, after 2 hours of great natural scenery, Papigo village in Zagorochoria. There, we will enjoy the homely hospitality of Saxonis guest house. After having a welcome refreshment, we will head for the assignment of the day: The village itself, nesting under the vertical slopes of the surrounding mountains, with its stone built houses of magnificent local architecture and its quaint alleys. A magnificent dinner of local delicacies awaits for us in the afternoon in a nearby terrace to conclude with the review of the day. We have already practiced a lot of types of photography but today’s photography review focuses on what makes a photograph really interesting rather than practically correct.
Day 5
A day to remember as it’s the most adventurous one… Early start to climb up to the brink of the mountain Timfi… A relatively easy path demanding a medium physical condition will lead us -after 3 hours- to the refuge which is our 1st photographic destination of the day. The panoramic view is breathtaking as the alpine scenery spreads all around along with the vertical rock slopes of Astraka with its imposing cutting edges and ridges, forming one of the most amazing natural parks of Europe. Landscape photography at its best moment! After a short break for rest and lunch in the refuge, we continue to cross and photograph the meadows lying among the mountains. And after ascending a small slope, the legendary Dragon Lake reveals itself to us, at 2200 m. height upon the edge of the cliff. The radiant colours of the sky, the soft and sharp lines of the summits all mirrored in the lake’s water, create an extraordinary photography spectacle! A night’s staying over in the refuge is part of the experience..
Highlight: We will exploit the superb setting of Tymfi’s mountain ridge for a special session on night photography.
Day 6
We get back to our base in Papigo to download our photos and enjoy a relaxing midday review, to share and discuss our images, our personal perspectives on the photography themes. This afternoon is dedicated to photographing the nearby natural river pools and of course, having an invigorating dip in the crystal clear water is a must!
Day 7
We are already deeply in love with the place and we want more & more photography challenges. Thankfully, the area is generous enough to give us plenty and diverse options of scenery with its lush vegetation, calm and impetuous rivers, gorges, canyons and historical bridges. Nature photography has its own norms and our instructor will share all the techniques and new approaches for awesome shots. Last night in Papigo and a farewell dinner is a great chance for an overall review of our photography trip.
Day 8
After our last, most delicious homemade breakfast, in our guest house, we are ready to depart for Athens. Our way back includes a few hours’ photography break in the fertile Thessalia’s flat land. The plain stretches for miles in all directions and the wheat and other crops cultivation create an interesting uniform visual; a great chance for a different approach in landscape photography that results in images of a completely different style. As we reach Athens in the evening, we have included a last night sleep in the city in order to have a good rest and be ready for whatever your plans are for the next day. Farewell hugs and greetings among friends that have shared an intimate photography & travel experience!
Day 9
You pack your luggage taking along with your memories, your perception in photography broadened and your skills refined. Morning check out and time either to continue your trip to Greece or to take the way back to your home.